This
is of supreme significance for- several reasons. Adi Sankara lived in a cave
very near to this, for five years. His Himalayan genius was blossomed only when
he was here founding of monasteries and erecting of temple together with the
dedication of his works to the Lord. So, sacred to all. There is a temple
dedicated to Narasimha in which Badarinath is worshipped during the Winter. It
is on the way to Badari and no pilgrim worth the name misses this holy place.

BRAHMA
KAPAL

Matsya
Purana and Vishnu Dharma Sastra extol its importance in glowing terms. It is
situated on the right bank of Alakananda and it is famous for offering sraddha
to the dead ancestors and they are promised immediate liberation. If once,
sraddha is offered to the dead, there is no occasion to offer any further in
future, since they are liberated and merged in Brahma. Having gone to the
highest abode of Vishnu from here, they earnestly await their descendants to
meet them there, nay they earnestly long for the birth of some illustrious one
in their family to visit Badari and do sraddha. So, ardent theists perform
sraddhas here soon after reaching Badari; and many visit only for this purpose.
Thousands of persons can be seen here doing this sacred ritual.

MANA

It
is a small village with great spiritual significance. It lies in' the valley of
Alakananda and the Mata Murti temple here attracts pilgrims. In its
neighbourhood lie many caves of spiritual importance. Vyasaguha, Ganeshguha,
Bhimaguha and Muchikundaguha are among the best and worthy of visitation. Showing
and narrating the importance of many more places, the guide ushers the pilgrims
into the inexhaustible treasures - house of spirit, leaving the rest upward
movement, or downward fall to the choice of each individual.